INTRODUCTION TO COSMOLOGY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
No specific prerequisites are required. Basic knowledge of the theory of General Relativity is welcome, but this will be provided during the course.
The exam consists of an oral test, divided into three phases.
1) The teacher proposes during the course a certain number (greater than 10) of scientific articles of great relevance in the field of cosmology. The examinee chooses one in agreement with the teacher at least a week before the examination where they present it.
2) The student presents a topic of his choice chosen from those covered in class.
3) The student is questioned at will by the teacher on the entire program.
The three parts of the examination have equal weight.
Honors (lode) is awarded for those students who have proven to understand the chosen article and to explain it properly.
The course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge of theoretical cosmology and observational cosmology. Expected learning outcomes. The students will be able to: - understand the Robertson-Walker metric as a description of the geometry of the universe on large scales; - apply thermodynamics and statistical mechanics in the early universe. In particular, to predict the abundance of light elements; - understand what is meant by the hot "Big Bang" model, and how the cosmic background radiation is a consequence of it; - understand the need for "dark" components in the universe: dark matter and dark energy; - understand the process of formation of structures, in the linear regime, in an expanding universe.
The main contents of the course are as follows: - Mathematical description of the expanding Universe, based on the theory of General Relativity; - Thermal history of the Universe - Cosmological perturbations - Boltzmann equations - Initial conditions - Stochastic properties of cosmological perturbations - Inflation - Evolution of perturbations - Anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background
- The expanding universe and its content - The Olbers paradox - The accelerated expansion of the universe and the Dark Energy - Dark Matter - Modern Cosmological Observations - Open problems in cosmology - The Friedmann – Lemaître – Robertson – Walker metric - Friedmann's equations - Distances in Cosmology - Thermal Equilibrium and Boltzmann Equation - Formation of light nuclei in the Big Bang - Recombination and Decoupling - Thermal relics - Cosmological perturbations - Initial conditions for cosmological perturbations - Power spectrum and Gaussian random fields - Non-Gaussian perturbations - Cosmological inflation
The lessons will be in presence, with presentation of the contents also with detailed execution of the calculations. There will be no lesson hours dedicated to exercises, but exercises will be carried out by the teacher and by the students during the course.
The notes for the lectures will be available for the students after each class.
The teacher can be contacted via email at:
Meetings can be arranged per email.